Mary C & Perry F Spencer Fdn
The Mary C & Perry F Spencer Foundation is a private foundation established in February 1982 with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. The foundation is located in Fort Wayne, Indiana, though some records indicate a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania address. It operates as a grantmaking foundation with no paid staff, relying on a board of directors and bank trustees to manage its operations.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$4.9M
-0.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$215K
-7.9% YoY
Grant Count
18
+12.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$12K
-18.1% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Mary C & Perry F Spencer Fdn reported a distributable amount of $273K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation primarily funds general support for various organizations, with a particular emphasis on:
- History centers and historical preservation
- Youth services and youth-focused organizations
- Christian children's homes and ministries
- Community organizations and cultural institutions
- Fall season assistance programs
Grantmaking
The foundation appears to be possibly open to applications, with no indication of a "preselected only" funding approach based on recent tax filings.
Grant Range
approximately $10,000–$13,000
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue (2024):
- Total assets: $4.88–$5.6 million
- Total revenues: $246,790
- Total expenses: $289,945
- Investment income and dividends: $153,128
Assets & Revenue (2023):
- Total assets: $4.92 million
- Total revenues: $477,000
- Total expenses: $304,000
- Total liabilities: $0
The foundation maintains a healthy asset base relative to its annual giving, indicating a long-term commitment to grantmaking.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $4,881,420 | $4,924,575 | $4,751,895 |
| Revenue | $246,790 | $476,994 | $445,495 |
| Expenses | $289,945 | $303,529 | $344,452 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $256,761 | $268,032 | $296,433 |
| Net Investment Income | $220,270 | $444,249 | $409,156 |
| Distributable Amount | $273,164 | $249,566 | $266,935 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
93 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include New Mercies Ministries ($35,000), Harlan Christian Youth Center ($35,000), Timevista Theater Inc ($22,250).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| YOUTH FOR CHRIST USA INC FORT WAYNE, IN | GENERAL SUPPORT | $8,000 |
| HUMANE FORT WAYNE FORT WAYNE, IN | GENERAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| SUMMIT CITY THEATRE WORKS FORT WAYNE, IN | GENERAL SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| STILLWATER HOSPICE FORT WAYNE, IN | GENERAL SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| AMERICAN WELDING SOCIETY MIAMI, FL | GENERAL SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| NEW MERCIES MINISTRIES FORT WAYNE, IN | GENERAL SUPPORT | $35,000 |
| HISTORIC BROADWAY INC NEW HAVEN, IN | GENERAL SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| ASSOCIATED CHURCHES OF FT WAYNE IND FORT WAYNE, IN | GENERAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| ALLEN COUNTY FT WAYNE HISTORICAL SO FORT WAYNE, IN | GENERAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| WOODBURN CHRISTIAN CHILDRENS HOME WOODBURN, IN | GENERAL SUPPORT | $15,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation's leadership includes:
- Richard Wolf – Director
- Jon Brandenberger – Director
- Matt Brandenberger – Director
- Mitch Harper – Director
- Ethan Harper – Director
- PNC Bank N.A. – Trustee
- Lake City Bank – Trustee
Board members typically serve one hour per week with modest compensation.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| RICHARD WOLF | DIRECTOR | 1 | $450 |
| JON BRANDENBERGER | DIRECTOR | 1 | $900 |
| MATT BRANDENBERGER | DIRECTOR | 1 | $900 |
| MITCH HARPER | DIRECTOR | 1 | $900 |
| ETHAN HARPER | DIRECTOR | 1 | $900 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Mary C & Perry F Spencer Fdn fund?
The foundation primarily funds general support for various organizations, with a particular emphasis on: • History centers and historical preservation • Youth services and youth-focused organizations • Christian children's homes and ministries • Community organizations and cultural institutions • Fall season assistance programs
How do I apply for a grant from Mary C & Perry F Spencer Fdn?
**Grant Activity:** • Made 18 grants in the most recent fiscal year • Grant amounts range from $2,200 to $35,000 • Median grant size: approximately $10,000–$13,000 • Total distributions: approximately $233,900–$268,000 annually **Recent Grantees Include:** • New Mercies Ministries ($35,000) • Harlan Christian Youth Center ($35,000) • Timevista Theater ($22,250) • Woodburn Christian Children's Home Inc. **Application Status:** The foundation appears to be possibly open to applications, with no i…
What size grants does Mary C & Perry F Spencer Fdn award?
In 2024, Mary C & Perry F Spencer Fdn awarded 18 grants totaling $215K — an average of about $12K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Mary C & Perry F Spencer Fdn required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Mary C & Perry F Spencer Fdn reported a distributable amount of $273K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Mary C & Perry F Spencer Fdn's EIN?
Mary C & Perry F Spencer Fdn's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 31-1016213. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.